THE UNEMPLOYED AND IMMIGRATION.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2217, 15 June 1870, Page 2

THE UNEMPLOYED AND IMMIGRATION.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sir, —The correspondence that has taken place of late on this subject in your columns and in those of your contemporary, goes far to show that the mind of the working class is awakening to the knowledge of the injustice that has been perpetrated upon them and their families by the Provincial Council, in voting L 12,000 for the “importation of labor ” when there is not suiiicient employment to be obtained by those who are unfortunate enough to be in the country. The aim of those members who fought together so ignobly in “securing this item” must bo obvious to any one who gives the subject the least attention. Ic is a well-known fact that the majority of the members in Council belong to the agricultural section of the community, and that under such circumstances, wo need not be surprised at their being able to carry any measure they may think fit to introduce, especially when such measure is one of self-aggraiuliseincut, for in this case it can he looked upon in no other light. We have at present in our very midst a great number of men who would only be glad to find employment of any description, and who would rejoice to sec the Government start works that would lead to a consummation of their wishes. How must their feelings bo harrowed when they ace a large sum of money voted for a purpose that cannot, under existing circumstances, he conducive to the prosperity of the province, and which is virtually taking the bread out of their mouths. This L12,01K) I think might be judiciously spent in the province on works that would benefit the general community and employ our surplus labor. I ask tho Government in a commonsense manner, if it would not have shown greater wisdom in opposing tho measure and devoting tho sum (that is now really lost to the country) to the keeping of our roads and bridges in proper repair, instead of the perpetual patching, or keeping up appearances on a straightened purse. I give the member at tho head of tho Government credit for possessing an average share of wisdom, but it seems to have left him when this subject came under discussion. iWhy did this occur ? Did the Cockatoos in Council threaten to withdraw their support should he fail to assist them in their hour of need? I fear pressure was brought to bear upon the lion, gentleman, and rather than lose office he preferred to smother honor and truth to the tune of “Money in both Pockets.” Does the farmer experience greater difficulty in securing labor than the squatter or merchant ?—or docs the laborer try to drive a harder bargain with the farmer than he does with tho other classes of employers ? This question is suggested by the fact that it is only the fanner that is crying for cheap labor. Their cry is, “we cannot get our crops in,” men are scarce and wages are too high. Does tho fanner imagine that the price that rules in winter ought to rule at “harvest?” If he thinks so, I would just remind him of the fact that in Scotland during harvest farmers give as much as os per day for men ; and if any of the farmers in Council could at the proper season transport themselves to Belfast or any other seaport in Ireland having direct communication with Scotland, he would see hundreds of persons embarking for the “laud o’ cakes,” where they are capable of making a “ rise ” during the season. Why then should our fanners grumble at a “fluctuation” that their brethren in the old country bear without a manner. The farmer says if labor was cheaper he could extend his operations, and then employ more labor, and in fact work good to all classes. How is he going to bring about this desirable state of things ? f would like some of them to explain how they will manage it. if they intend bringing people out hero to cheapen labor, so that they may extend their operations, will not this defeat their own ends ; for if the demand increase in proportion to the influx of population, the price of labor would not be reduced. For the demand and supply will always regulate the price. At present there Is no demand for labor, and the demand cannot be increased by adding only poor people to our population. If we want to add to our population, and at the same time to keep the wolf from our midst, we must have capital to employ the extra labor brought into' our market. We are told by a high authority on political economy “that the demand for those who live bv wages can only increase with an increase of national wealth, and cannot possibly increase without it"—or, in other words, ‘‘the demand for labor varies with the amount of capital seeking productive employment." This is a plea that the members of the Council cannot bring forward in justification of their blind stupidity in voting such a sum of money for immigration. If there is capital lying unemployed in this I’royiuee, i the holders of it would confer a special benefit upon hundreds of their fcllow-crea- | tures by employing it in a manner that would nearly absorb our present surplus labor, before we add to it, “Give us a ‘protective tariff,’and stock the place with pc qilc, so that we may have labor at our own price, and then wo will bo satisfied.” Is not tliis the pry qf selfish men, and does

it not prove the evils of class legislation f The defeat of the Government in attempting t-> appoint an immigration agent seems to have roused the distinguished member (for his silence) for Tokomairiro from his normal stale into a state of stupid activity, inasmuch as lie did cn the day following the debate move—“ That tho Government be authorised to appoint an immigration agent, if they consider it advisable to do so. ” Wise and far-seeing man, he could sec easily that one of the stepplng-stopes necessary to carry out the pet scheme of his glass was being kicked from under him. No doubt it would have been a good thing to have some in their employ whose salary and tenure of office would depend upon his abb it) and willingness to lie i ffit I unhesitatingly declare that the man who would tell the truth and nothing but tho truth could not fulfil.the duty entrusted to him by the Executive; ho would not get fifty immigrants a quarto-. Is it not cruel on tho part of the Government by false representations to persuade people to forsake their home, their country, and their kindred, and go to ?. land where they arc neither cared nor attended to in the manner that was promised. To be poor in tho mother country is certainly bad, but is it not infinitely worse to be poor among strangers ? Here they lack the genuine sympathy sq easily found qmoug their “own,” And do not a few kind words make our trials easier to boar 1 “ Tho heart

that bleeds from stroke of fate or human wrong, loves to disclose itself, that listening pity may drop a healing tear upon the wound.” I would earnestly urge my fellow men to inform their friends in the old country of the true state of affairs, and by their timely warning prevent perhaps many families from severing the dearest ties on earth to follow a shadow a shadow that will lead to ruin and despair. If our rulers want to make the country, let them frame a Land Bill on a liberal scale, giving bona fide encouragement to people of moderate capital, aye, and of capitalists too. The Melbourne Argus of May 28th says a few words decidedly apropos to this occasion. For many reasons political, as well as social, we are desirous to see an immigration of all classes, of capitalists as well as laborers, of person., in independent circumstances as well as of those whose possessions arc only a stout heart and a pair of capable hands. Ihc colony would be benefited and improved if the general composition of society fibre were more closely assimilated to the society of the mother country.” To accomplish this we should give some inducement by aiding firstclass and middle-class immigrants as well as third-class in transporting themselves to this country; and to this idea of the Argus, I would say to Otago legislators give laud on easy payments and you will not fail to work a good to the country. ' But while there is but one class of immigrants landing on our shores, and that a class seeking for labor we cannot go-a-head. Capital and labor must go hand in hand to establish our prosperity on a firm basis. Bat our farmers do not approve of liberal land laws nor of capitalists. Give us the laboring man in great number so that we may profit by him and give him what we think proper in the shape of wages. I trust the laboring classes will individually exert their influence to prevent people from coming out here. Let them tell the truth in stating the case to their friends and relations in the old country, and that will be suffident. When the intending emigrant in possession of facts comes to ponder upon what ho is leaving for what awaits him at the antipodes, the reduction that is taking place in wages, and the casual employment, the want of friends in sickness and in sorrow, he will remain at home, preferring life to a miserable existence.—Yours, Ac., Cockatoo auas Kara.